Door latch



Aug. 16, 1927.

w. c. DEVEREAUX DOOR LATCH Filed March 9, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1,639,400 5- w. c. DEVEREAUX I DOOR LATCH Filed March 9. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I II III-l 1111111,! I, IIIIIII/lv rIIIIIIIIl/IIII,

PATENT OFFICE.

G. ,DEVEBEAUX, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

DOOR LATCH.

Application filed larch a, 1925. Serial m. 14,264.

This invention relates generally to looks and latches designed" articularly for use with vehicle doors an consists of certain novel featuresof co'nstruction, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings; I Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of the outside of the,door yvith the latch mechanism" embodying my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line' 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the inside of the door with the latch mechanism embodying my invention applied thiireto. fr

i re 4 is a agmentar rs tive view d f the door and latch m ch' ai iiisifi Figure 5 is a detail pers ective view of the case plate and associate parts.

Figure 6v is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6- -6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an elevation of the inner case plate and associated parts.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the outer caseplate.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of 0 the outer cover plate.

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view of the locking bar.

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of the lock attaching plate.

Figure 12 is a detail perspective view of the outside actuating'bar.

Figure 13 is a vertical section through the latch casing taken on the line 13-13 of Figure 7.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a door preferably of a vehicle body, having a frame 2 that receives a vertically movable glass and 3 and supports suitable latch and 00k mechanism.

As shown, the pillars 5 and 6 respectively of the frame are provided at their inner s1des with longitudinally extending channels or runways 7 for the glass panel 3'and are connected intermediate their ends by the 0 spaced metallic panels 8 and 9 respectively which su port the latch and lock mechanism. In or or that the glass anel 3 ma be raised or lowered in. the e 2 wit out interfering in. any way with said. mechanism,-the latch proper 10 and inside operating means for the bolt 11 are preferably mounted upon the inner face of the inner panel 9 while the outside operating means for the bolt 11 is preferably mounted on the inner face of the outer panel 8. As shown, the latch proper 10 is provided with a case plate 12 and a cover plate 13 which are substantially the same size and are connected together by means ofsuitable spacers 14 and screws 16, said spacers being riveted to the plate 12. With this construction, the spacers 14 are preferably provided with threaded bores 15 through which said screws 16 extend for securing the assembled case plates to eachother and to the inner panel.

9. Thus, the latch proper may be easily and quickly attached to or detached from the door. These spacers 14 also guide the bolt 11 between the spaced plates 12 and 13'respectively. As shown, the flat shank .17 of the bolt travels between the forward spacers 14 and is provided at its rear end with a longitudinally extending slot 18 that (receives the rear spacer 14. The head 19 of the bolt is preferably riveted to the shank 17 at the forward end thereof and is adapted to travel in a longitudinally extending slot 20 in the case plate 12. In order that the friction between the case plate 12 and the bolt will be reduced. to a minimum sothat .the bolt will slide freely but at the same time will have the proper backing to stand the shocks and jars resulting from engagement of the bolt with the keeper, the metal of the case. plate to which the spacers 14 are riveted is preferably pressed inwardly as shown at 21, 22 and 23 respectively, consequently a three point bearing is rovided for the bolt on the case plate 12; nasmuch as the forward spacers 14 are spaced from the side edges 'of the slot 20, it will be readily apparentthat sufficient bearings are provided for. the bolt at each sideof the slot to take care of the shocks and jars referred to above. Any suitable means such as the helical spring 24 anchored 11 on the case late 12v may be employed .or normal-1y iiolding the bolt in projected position.

For retracting the of the sprin suitable rollack 25 that is adapted to be operated from the outside of the door, and a pivoted lever 26 that is adapted to be olt against the tension" 24, I preferably provide a operated from the inside of the door. As shown, the roll back is engageable with a shoulder 27 of the shank 17 to retract the bolt, and is provided with a hub 28 that is journaled in aligned openings in the case plate and cover plate 12 and 13 respectively. Inorder that this roll back-25 ma be operated from the outside of the cor, the hub 28 is preferably provided with a relativel long radially extending arm 30 that is adapted to be raised or lowered by means of a linkage connected to the outside operating handle 32. As shown, this linkage preferably consists of two vertically arranged bars 33 and 34 respectively, a cross bar 35, and an actuating bar 36. The inner vertical bar 33 is preferably pivotally connected at its opposite. endsto the arm 30 and cross bar 35, while the outer vertical bar 34 is preferably pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the cross bar 35 and actuating bar 36. In order that said linkage may be actuated without interfering with the movement of the glass anel 3, the cross bar'35 is preferably locate below the lower ends of the runways 7 and is pivoted intermediate its ends upon a vertically adjustable arm 37 of a bracket 38 anchored upon the lower cross bar 39 of the door frame. The actuating bar 36 is preferably relatively short and is provided at its inner end with a hub 40 that receives the square shank 41 of the outside operating handle 32 and is journaled in aligned openings 42 and 43 1n the case plate 44 and cover plate 45 upon the inner face of the outer panel 8. As shown, this case plate 44 is preferably secured to the outer panel 8 by means of the same screws 46 that secure the outer escutcheon plate 47 to the outer panel 8. This is accomplished by providin the cover plate 45 with substantially parallel flanges 48 and 49 respectively that have suitable recesses 50 for receiving the nuts 51 threadedly engaging the screws 46 and that have tongues 52 at their outer edges secured to the case plate 44. The lower fiange 49 of the cover plate 45 is adapted to be engaged by the actuating bar 36 when the outside handle 32 is disposed in normal horizontal position, while the upper flange 48 of the cover plate 45 is adapted to be engaged by the actuating bar 36 to limit the rotation of the outside'handle 32 when retracting the bolt 11. Any suitable means such as the coiled compression spring 53 terminally connected to the upright bars 33 and 34 respectively of the linkage may be employed a for normally retaining the actuating bar 36 against the lower flange 49 to hold the outside handle 32 in horizontal position. This "spring 53 will also normally hold the roll back 25 positioned for engagement by the shoulder 27 of the bolt shank. Said spring exerts its thrust at a selected angle to the axes of said bars such as to urge the bar 33 upwardly and the bar 34 downwardly. The lever 26 is substantially L-shaped' and, is preferably located upon the outer face of the case plate 12. As shown, this lever 26 is preferably pivoted at its lower end upon a suitable pin or stud 55 projecting outwardly from the case plate 12 adjacent to the lower ed ev thereof and is engageable intermediate its ends with an integral upstanding projection 56 of the shank 17 to retract the bolt 11. This projection 56 is preferably located at the upper edge of the furcation 57 and has a laterally extending portion 58 that is adapted to travel in an elongated slot 59 in the case plate 12 when the bolt is retracted. To insure positive engagement of the lever 26 with the projection 56, a short flat arm 60 is preferab y permanently secured at its rear end to the outer face of the projection 56 and projects forwardly across the lever 26 in substantially parallel relation to the case plate 12. Thus,

the lever 26 will travel between the arm 60 and case plate 12- and will be guided into positive engagement with the projection 56.

In order that the outside 0 era-ting means may be rendered inoperative rom the inside of the vehicle, the arm 30 is preferably provided adjacent to the bar 33 with a lateral pin 61 that is adapted to be held in a suitable recess 62 in the rear edge of the case plate 12 by means of the horizontal portion 63 of the lever 26. To accomplish this, the horizontal portion 63 of the lever is provided with a lon itudinally extending slot 64 for receiving t e pivot pin 55. Thus, the horizontal portion 63 of the lever may be moved longitudinally of the case plate to position the end portion thereof beneath the pin 61 when the latter is in the recess 62. If desired, a lug 65 may be struck out from the case plate 12 to form a bearin for the ho'rizontal end portion 63 of the ever when in extended osition. Any suitable means such as the spring washer 66 on the pivot pin 55, and the leaf sprin 67 on the case plate 12 may be employed %or frictionally engaging the lever 26 to retard the movement thereof and prevent rattling.

For limiting the forward swinging move ment of the lever, I preferablv provide a plate 68 that is secured to the case late 12 the outer face of the case plate 12, it will be readily apparent that it 'is readil accessible and the space between the case p ate 12 and cover plate 13 has been reduced to a minimum. Hence, a very compact construction is provided. Moreover, the lever 26-may be readily removed should it be desired to use a rotary handle on the inside of the door similar to the handle 32. For this purpose, the hub 28 of the arm 30 is preferably provided with a square opening 70 that is adapted to receive the square shank of such a handle when the lever 26 has been removed.

Should it be desired to .render the outside operating mechanism inoperative from the cylinder of a suitable tumbler lock 75 anchored in the outer panel 8 of the door. Any suitable means such as the screws 76 may be used to guide the vertically movable bar. 72.

s As shown, these screws 76 extend through an elongated slot 77 in the bar 72 and 'threadedly engage the case plate. 44.

In order that the lock 75 may be readily attached to the door, the casing of the lock is provided at diametrically opposite points with grooves 78 that are adapted to receive the parallel edges 79 of a key-hole slot 80 in an attaching plate 81'upon the inner face of the case plate 44. To assemble the parts, the lock casin 75 is slipped through the circular portion 83 of the slot 80 in the plate 81, whereupon the latter is moved transverse 1y of the casing 75 over the inner face of the case plate 44 to engage the parallel edges 79 with the grooves 78. Any suitable means may then be employed to secure the attaching plate 81 to the case plate 44.

n use, the bolt 11 is normally held in projected position by the helical sprin 24 and may be retracted by either the outsi e handle 32 or the inside lever 26. When the outside handle is used, the linkage extending beneath the glass panel 3 will cause the roll back 25 upon the inner side of the door to retract the bolt 11. When the lever 26 is used, the projection 56 of the shank will be engaged t ereby to retract the bolt. Should it be desired to render the outside handle inoperative from the inside of the vehicle, the lever 26 may .be fulcrumed upon the flange 69 of the plate 68 to position the horizontal end ortion 63 beneath the pin 61 on the arm 30. he spring 67 and washers 66 will hold the lever 26 in such dogging position. However, should it be desired to render the outside handle 32 inoperative from the outside of the door, a suitable key (not shown) may be used to turn the lock cylinder so that the pin 74 will raise the bar 72 into locking engagement with the handle shank 41.

Thus, from the foregoing description it will be readily apparent that look mechanism of this type may be mounted upon a door equipped with pillars having relatively small cross sections, consequently the vision of the occupants of the vehicle is materially increased and a wider glass panel may be employed. It is also apparent that the outside operating means and inside operatlng means may be independently operated for retracting the bolt- While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, yet I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is hereinshown and described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim as my invention is: 1. The combination with a door, and a latch having a case plate and a cover late, of rivets permanently secured to one 0 said plates, and means extending through said rivets for securing the assembled plates to said door.

2. The combination with a latch having a case plate, and a cover plate, and a support for said latch, of spacer elements headed to secure them to one of said plates, and

means extending through said spacer elements for securing the assembled plates to said support.

. 3. The combination with a latch ha ing a case plate and a cover plate, a support for said latch, of spacer elements secured between said plates to one of the plates, and headed elements extending through the spacer elements aforesaid for securing the assembled plates to each other and to said support.

4. In a latch, the combination with a case plate, and a cover plate therefor, of a latch olt having a shank movable between said plates, a lever for actuating said bolt outside said plates, and a member extending through one of said plates adapted to be gcfiuated by said lever for retracting said 5. In a latch, the combination with a case plate, and a cover platetherefor, of a latch bolt having a shank. movable between said plates, a projection on said shank extending through said case plate, and a lever mounted on the outer face of said case plate engageggle with said projection for actuating said.

6. In a latch, the combination with a latch bolt, of a roll back for retracting the bolt having a projection, a pin carried by the projection, and a lever for retracting the bolt having means engageable with the pin for renderlng the roll back inoperative.

7. In a latch, the combination with a case plate, and a latch bolt carried thereby, of

a roll back for retracting the bolt having a projection, a pin carried by the projection, and a lever pivoted on the case plate having an extension beyond the pivot engageable with said pin for rendering the roll back inoperative.

8. In a door latch, the combination with two levers operable from opposite sides of a door, and arranged to retract said latch, and means including a horizontal projection on one of said levers at the lower end thereof engageable in a certain position of said lever with the. other lever to lock the last mentioned lever from effective operation.

9. In a latch, the combination'with the casing thereof, and alatch bolt having a shank movable in said casing, of a lever mounted exteriorly of said casing for actuating said bolt, and an actuating connection from the lever to said bolt.

10. In a latch, the combination with a casing and a latch bolt having a shank movable in said casing, of two levers arranged to independently retract said bolt, one of said levers being mounted exteriorly of said casing for actuating said bolt, and means carried by said last mentioned lever engageable in a certain position of said lever with the other lever to lock the latter from effective operation.

11. In a latch, the combination with a casing and a latch bolt having a shank movable in said casing, of a roll-back for retracting the bolt having a projection, a pin carried by the projection, and a lever mounted exteriorly of the casing for actuating said bolt having means engageable with the pin for rendering the roll-back inoperative.

12. In a latch, the combination with a casing and a latch bolt having a shank movable in said casing, of a lever arranged to retract said bolt, a projection on said shank extending through said casing, and a second bolt retracting means including a member mounted exteriorly of said casing and engageable with said projection for retracting said bolt.

13. In a latch, the combination with a case plate, and a cover plate therefor, of a latch bolt having a shank movable between said plates, a lever arranged to retract said bolt, a projection on sai shank extendin through said case plate, and a lever pivoted on the outer face of said case plate actuable in one direction to engage said rojection for retracting said bolt, and actua 1e in the opposite direction to lock the first mentioned lever against effective operation.

14. A latch adapted to be mounted upon a door having a" sliding glass panel therein includin a latch bolt upon the inner side of the g ass panel, a roll-back for actuating said bolt upon the inner side of the glass panel, means for actuating said bolt from the outside of the door including an operating member upon the outer side of the panel, a connection between said roll-back and member including linkage extending beneath the glass panel, and yieldable means associated with said linkage at the lower end thereof normally holding said operating member in a predetermined position, and also normally holding the roll-back in operative position with respect to said bolt.

15. In a latch, he combination with a casing and a latch bolt, of a lever arranged to retract said bolt, and a second lever mounted exteriorly of said casing actuable in one direction to retract said bolt, and actuable in the opposite direction to lock the first mentioned lever against effective operation.

16. In a latch, the combination with a latch bolt, of two levers arranged to independently retract said bolt, one of said levers having a rearwardly extending projection engageable in a certain position of said lever with the other lever to lock the last mentioned lever from effective operation.

17. In a latch the combination with a latch bolt, of a lever arranged to retract said bolt having a lateral projection adjacent one end thereof, and a second bolt retracting lever having a projection engageable with the projection aforesaid for rendering the first mentioned lever inoperative.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature.

W LIAMC. DEVEREAUX. 

